Lewis and Simon Posted October 8, 2004 Report Posted October 8, 2004 (edited) Now when we speak of anime, there are always certain titles that will stick out in your mind -- Cowboy Bebop, Rurouni Kenshin, Trigun, Evangelion, Love Hina, Dragon Ball Z, the list goes on. This thread does not exist to recommend these kinds of anime. There are other people who could do that for you. Plenty of other people. What I would like to do with this thread is help shine a light on a few lesser known titles that has slipped through the cracks of mainstream interest. There are various reasons why such animes remain unnoticed. Several of these titles did not share the large budget that some of the more popular or were licensed almost immediately and thus did not gain a fansubber's database. And some of these animes simply have yet to see an American release date. Please note that I am not against mainstream anime. I am an avid fan of Fullmetal Alchemist and a loyal watcher of Naruto, and I thoroughly enjoyed most of the animes I listed above and would recommend them to any newbie. But I am making the leap of faith that several of you watchers who frequent these boards are probably past that stage already. In the previous thread, I recommended three titles to the anime lovers who populate the Pen. Short recaps to follow: Voices of a Distant Star (Hoshi no Koe) - The tale of two friends torn light years apart by a war in space mourning over what might have been. (Romance/Sci-Fi) Crest of the Stars (Seikai no Monshou) - Two strangers brought together by circumstance in the midst of huge galaxy-wide war. Yes, I know how it sounds, but the two animes are really quite different. Promise. (Romance/Sci-Fi) Paranoia Agent (Paranoia Agent) - A bizarre series of beatings lead a pair of detectives down a bizzare and twisted trail as they struggle to comprehend its connection between a young artist. (Horror/Fantasy) None of these titles have earned immense commercial popularity within the United States. In fact, probably the most popular anime, Hoshi no Koe, was just a small, independent anime that no one in the fansub community thought would ever even see a North American release (you have ADV to thank for that). Crest of the Stars just slipped under the radar of most fansubbers, and Paranoia Agent is simply too new (and was licensed right off the bat). Tonight, I would like to add two new animes to that list tonight. Kino's Journey (Kino no Tabi) - Follows the tale of young Kino as he travels from nation to nation, observing and absorbing their cultures briefly before moving on once more. (Fantasy) Kino's Journey is probably the only anime that I have ever liked without a coherent plot advancement. The story can be literally contained in that little blurb I gave it right above there, but it's such an interesting anime to watch just because of how it plays at the concept of perception. Now and Then, Here and There (Ima, Soko ni Iru Boku) - The tale of a young boy caught in a conflict that takes him to another world where it's a struggle just to survive. (Fantasy/Drama) Now and Then, Here and There is vicious in its portrayal of humanity. It comes completely unexpected from the maker of Kodocha and Fruits Basket, Akitaroh Daichi. But it is a great anime in how it just molds its characters. An old anime, to be sure, but definitely worth a watch. That's all I've got for now. I'll try to keep this updated every couple of weeks or so. After all, all I do anymore is watch anime, and Wyvern suggested I might as well share what I liked. Edited October 14, 2004 by Lewis and Simon
Lewis and Simon Posted October 14, 2004 Author Report Posted October 14, 2004 (edited) Just adding a couple of titles to this list tonight. One disturbing sci-fi/drama, the other a disturbing comedy. For the record, I do realize how bad I am at synopsis, but please, bear with me. Infinite Ryvius (Mugen no Ryvius) - Trapped on a powerful ship built in secret and hunted by their own government, a group of students struggle to survive as they unlock the mysteries of this strange ship. (Drama/Sci-Fi) Okay, some of you may recognize the animation here. This the work these animators did before s.CRY.ed and Gundam Seed, and in my opinion, it's their best work. For a show revolving around a ship that gets constantly attacked, there is very little action involved. The show is more of a drama revolving around how the kids cope with it all. Overall, it was a nice watch, a mildly unique approach to the whole Sci-Fi/mech anime theme. Child's Toy (Kodomo no Omocha or "Kodocha") - ...umm...well...there's this really crazy elementary school girl...she's got a lot of drama in her life...but she's just really energetic about it all...and there's this white bat...thingy...narrating her life... (Comedy) Kodocha is probably one of my favorite animes of all time. When I first saw it, I thought the show was bizarre as heck. Now, though, I think it's actually pretty mild. The humor is really random sometimes, but the story is really a sound one. It's demonically hard to find, but very much worth the hunt. These were some fairly old titles (5+ years old). I'll come back with some newer stuff next time. Edited October 14, 2004 by Lewis and Simon
Lewis and Simon Posted October 23, 2004 Author Report Posted October 23, 2004 Well, back again, as promised. This time I've got a few newer things, so let's get to them. Planetes (Planetes or Planet Es) - Set in the near future, debris orbiting the earth has become a problem for space travel. As such, special sections of orbiting space stations have been founded to retrieve the ever growing amount of debris around the earth. This anime focuses on one of those sections. (Drama/Sci-Fi) This anime probably has the most realistic depiction of space in animedom (which really doesn't say much). It tries very hard not to rely on any anime-stereotypes and does a fairly good job of it. I think it's safe to say that Planetes is probably one of the best animes you've never heard of. Princess Tutu (Princess Tutu) - A duck transformed into a girl tries desperately to save a prince by finding the pieces of his shattered heart and restoring it to him...by ballet dancing. Weird enough yet? There's also a maniacal story writer lurking in the shadows trying to turn their whole saga into a tragedy. (Fantasy) It's a magic girl anime. Fear it. It's also shoujo. Fear it more. But it has its own little twists, some fairly nice ones if you can get around the fact that it's a magic girl anime. It's probably one of the better ones out there right now. If you think you can stand the genre, it's worth your time. I'm having to dig through my hard drive now to remember stuff that I watched that not many others did to find this stuff. I might have to start relying on some of the more popular anime in the near future. It's either that or I have to start relaying stuff to you that's coming out right now before I really know whether or not it's worthwhile. I tried that with Zadown once, and he didn't take to it too well.
Peredhil Posted October 23, 2004 Report Posted October 23, 2004 I like the Excel Saga myself. I've been meaning to see Cowboy Bebop (we have the DVD in the house, just no time). There was one about a robot girl(?) Noku Noku I think, that I really like as well.
Zadown Posted October 23, 2004 Report Posted October 23, 2004 Beck wasn't that bad, it just wasn't my style. Anyways, my comments on Isachar's recommendations: Planetes - My favourite anime ever, 10 points, 5 stars, A+ etc. It could easily be made with live actors, and nobody would recognize its anime roots unless they were told so. Very mature, very realistic, multifaceted, believable characters. Mmmm HC scifi goodness with romance and drama! Infinite Ryvius - I watched it the first 7 episodes, and while I liked it, it lacked something that'd made me go all the way through the series. Still, I can recommend it as well. One of the most memorable opening songs in all the anime I've watched, for me. Voices of a Distant Star - Anime poem. Beautiful in more than one sense. *sniff* Crest of the Stars - Well, um, haven't watched this, but I'm watching the sequel. Just seen first three episodes and so far it seems very very good, with excellent dialogue and vivid characters. I absolutely loved the start of the sequel where for minutes all you hear is alien language shouted over the panorama of exploding ships, hee hee. If this is same quality, I can recommend it and the sequal, Banner of Stars. Paranoia Agent - Just finished this. I'm not quite sure what to say about it. It didn't sweep me away and give me the "must watch all episodes in a row without eating or sleeping" feeling, but it did have its moments, and it did make me think. A few filler episodes. That's it for now. *kicks his ADSL to download faster*
Orlan Posted October 23, 2004 Report Posted October 23, 2004 Big P, All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku
Lewis and Simon Posted October 24, 2004 Author Report Posted October 24, 2004 (edited) Beck wasn't that bad, it just wasn't my style. Well, as far as Beck was concerned, I've begun to realize it's one of those weird things I like that won't hold a wide appeal to everyone. I showed it to you because my roommate and I both got a kick out of it. The Anime Club I frequent would tend to agree with you about Beck though, and I've come to the conclusion when describing Beck, I should say: "It's a different kind of weird." I like the Excel Saga myself. I've been meaning to see Cowboy Bebop (we have the DVD in the house, just no time). There was one about a robot girl(?) Noku Noku I think, that I really like as well. I deeply, deeply fear Excel Saga, Peredhil. But every time I watched an episode, I just couldn't stop laughing at Rikudo and Nabeshin locked in their eternal struggle over what to do with the show. As far as the other two are concerned: Cowboy Bebop should be watched without fail. It's absolute canon. Unfortunately, I have heard of Nuku Nuku but never actually made the time to watch this; I will rectify this as soon as possible. At any rate, I think I will be taking a brief break next time I post in this thread to discuss the new anime that was released in October, maybe some time after Halloween. Edited October 24, 2004 by Lewis and Simon
Falcon2001 Posted October 30, 2004 Report Posted October 30, 2004 Okay, I just finished watching part of a series that WILL become Canon before long. I guarantee it. Samurai Champloo. Stop laughing. Seriously. It's so good. It's by the same director as bebop, and it's brilliant. It's almost perfect. Every element of the story and anime is done to a point but no further - sad enough to bring tears but not to seem sappy. Beautiful enough to tear at your heart but not so much as to seem overdone. Goofy enough to be fun, but not enough to seem dumb. It's gorgeous. FIND IT. It's not released in north america yet, but there are some excellent fansubs out there. I cannot stress this enough. It's incredible.
Isachar Posted October 30, 2004 Report Posted October 30, 2004 (edited) It's not released in north america yet, but there are some excellent fansubs out there. Err, Anime-Heaven and AnimeForever are not good fansubbing groups, you know. AH will always be a Naruto speed-subbing group, and AF-F practically ruined any episode of FMA they got their hands on. Anime-Kraze and Animeone are both pretty good though. As for Champloo itself, I thought the style was weird, and it didn't really get itself into a place that really impressed me. I stopped watching around episode 6, but I suppose I'll have to pick it up again, if it inspires such fanatical devotion. Edited October 30, 2004 by Isachar
Zadown Posted January 8, 2005 Report Posted January 8, 2005 *resurrects the thread* Just finished Kino's Journey. It's one of those things you just inexplicably like, or at least I liked it. The main character has the sort of detached coolness that is very rare in any central figures of any fiction anywhere, and yet it is not an inhuman armor, just the outtermost layer of his demeanor. There's many other things I loved about the short series, but I feel that my clumsy words would tear apart the gossamer strands of the coolness of the anime if I'd try to do something as gauche as explain why it was good. It has not much action, mostly just dialogue, so if action is your thing, I wouldn't recommend it. People who like slowly flowing stories should enjoy Kino's Journey, however.
Sparhawk Posted January 8, 2005 Report Posted January 8, 2005 Hope no one minds if I add my two cents here. Gundam Seed - Well I guess that's mainstream now...but it wasn't back when I first started watching it. I won't get into detail about the mainstream ones, but this one, I really liked - so far. (Mech Anime for those who don't know) Ayashi no Ceres - Mainstream? No idea. Only seen a couple episodes so far, but it looks really good as well. Bout a Tennyo and her descendants, and how the family tries to keep their blood pure by wiping out the children who shows signs of Tennyo power. Full Metal Panic - Ok now I have no idea how mainstream this is, but I loved this one! It has Mechs, but they don't over do it, and they have a funny romance to it as well. This guy is in a secret Army organization and ends up having to go to highschool to protect this 16 yr old chic who's in danger of being kidnapped. It's really good. Bear with me here, just two more I'd like to mention Wolf's Rain - I haven't seen all of it yet...looks good so far. Wolves are believed to be extinct, but they aren't, they can just use some kind of power that allows them to trick humans, so that humans see them as humans and hear them talk as humans as well. Don't let it fool you, it is all an illusion, if they touched your or something like that, you'd feel their real selves. And they're on a search for Paradise so that they can lead humans to it. Samurai Deeper Kyo - I love these old Samurai animes. Samurai killed 1000 men at Seki De Hara (old Japanese war, actually happened), named Demon Eyes Kyo, then this Medicine man comes along and defeats him (Still don't know how, especially seen as how weak he is), and then traps his spirit in his body and hides Kyo's body. They story takes place like 5 years after that. Kyo ends up taking control of the Medicine Man's body, the Manga hints that maybe Kyoshiro (the medicine man) is the real bad guy there...no idea...anyways Kyo is searching for his body, then you find out that this other demon lord guy that they keep reffering to as "His Majesty" is searching for Kyo's body as well to claim it as his own. Ok there's my two cents...hope no one minds.
Recommended Posts